Westpark students take the stage with

Students at Westpark Elementary School made a splash with their performance of Disney's "Little Mermaid Jr." on March 14, 15 and 16 in the school's multipurpose room.

Ninety-six students from all grade levels participated in the musical with three sold-out shows plus two performances during school hours for their classmates and teachers. The play's director, Ingrid Green, said there was such a huge demand for tickets that they could have easily filled the house for a fourth show.

An all-school play on the elementary school level is a rare thing these days. Westpark is one of only a couple of elementary schools within the Irvine Unified School District that still take on such an enormous endeavor.

Four years ago, the play almost came to an end. A core group of parents had been instrumental in running the play, but once their children moved on to middle school, no new volunteers stepped forward to take over.

Green, who runs the school's library and has directed the school's talent show for seven years, had assisted in previous plays. When no parent stepped up to direct the play, Green decided to become the director.

"When no one wanted to continue, I felt bad and believe everyone needs a chance on stage," Green said.

Every student who wants to be in the play is given a role. Typically, the main roles go to upper-graders who have been involved with the play since they were in kindergarten or first grade. Each year they come back, the student is given a larger role than the year before.

The school's PTA underwrites the event, and a $45 donation from each participant is requested to help pay the production costs. According to Green, the biggest costs are the rights for production and hiring a sound technician. Once those have been paid, the remaining money is used to pay for costumes and sets.

"This allows students to develop their confidence in a way that will benefit them throughout their lives," Westpark Principal Ann Marie Simmons said.

– Nancy Halterlein is the mother of a fifth-grader at Westpark Elementary School who has performed in the play since kindergarten. She has been a resident of Irvine for 24 years.

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